Organizers noticing rise in popularity of co-ed play

Neil Yorke and son Riley McCulley look over the tournament schedule that will be posted at the main field during the annual Don Yorke Memorial Slo-Pitch Tournament in Parrsboro on July 26-28.

PARRSBORO – After 28 years, the Don Yorke Memorial Slo-Pitch Tournament runs with few surprises.

Preparations were pretty much in place this week, as Neil Yorke readied for the annual weekend event that supports numerous local charities in memory of his father, a legendary local ball player and stalwart of the sport.

The only differences Yorke has observed are the more gradual trends, such as the shift in favour of more co-ed play, rather than the all-male teams seen in the past.

“We’re down a couple teams this year, and the rec division is getting harder to fill,” he said. “Co-ed seems to be picking up, and that’s the way I think it’s going. More girls are picking up the sport, and the guys who want to play more serious are going to Moncton, Halifax or beyond.”

Nine co-ed teams will compete in this year’s tournament, as opposed to only eight in the more competitive “recreation” division.

But the more disturbing trend for Yorke is not with the adult ball players, but rather in what might be coming years down the road. In particular, he said there seems to be a lack of local softball or baseball programs for youngsters, causing worry that the sport might die out altogether in Parrsboro.

“What surprises me is there’s no T-ball for the kids to learn how to swing a bat,” he said. “They’re not going to learn, or they’re going to learn the hard way, or their parents have to teach them.”

There is no lack of achievement at the high school level of the sport in Parrsboro, as the Parrsboro Regional High School boys won their second straight provincial championship last month, while their female counterparts finished second after capturing provincial gold last year.

HL: Schedule

Seventeen teams will participate in this year’s tournament, in two recreation divisions and two co-ed divisions. Games will take place at the DYM field and the Triassic Park field.

Events will begin with opening ceremonies at 6 p.m. on Friday evening at the DYM field.